Ventilating hive cover



April 10, 1951 Filed April 3, 1947 G. F. WATKINS' 2,548,275

YVENTILATING HIVE COVER 2 Shuts-Sheet 2 23 zz INVENTOR. 27 2/ G'ewye Z. ,zflafkzns Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES AT George F. Watkins, Austin, Application April 3, 1947, Serial No. 739,072

2 Claims. 1 o

This invention relates to a ventilating cover for a bee hive.

An object of the invention is to provide a cover of this character that will permit control of the amount of top ventilation for a bee hive.

Such a cover eliminates the usual practice of having holes in the cover or hive, or altering a conventional hive in any way to provide ventilation therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a landing board for the bees which is of the full width of the hive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover that permits ventilation of the hive, yet prevents sun, rain or snow from entering the hive through the ventilator.

A hive equipped with the type of cover embodying the invention is ideal for a two queen system, as it gives the upper colony of bees the same advantages as the lower colony, since an opening is provided for the upper colony that gives the colony free exit and entrance means without having to seek holes that have been bored in the hive, or notches that have been cut therein with a saw.

A hive equipped with a cover of this character is ideal for packing bees in the winter. It is a great labor saver over the old practice of summer ventilation, and the cover cannot be blown ofi of the hive.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cover embodying the invention, showing winter ventilation of the hive;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the cover closed for winter ventilation;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view with the cover closed tight without ventilation;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional view showing summer ventilation;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover;

Figure 6 is a front view closed for winter ventilation and Figure 7 is a front view open for summer ventilation.

Referring more in detail to the invention, the cover embodying the invention comprises a top board [0, side boards H and I 2 respectively, and an end board I 3, which are all joined by mortised joints, as shown at M. Secured to the top and upper ends of the side boards 7 respectively, by means of fasteners l5,enterin'g the depending annular flange. [6, formed, in-,- tegrally therewith, is a weather impervious covering I! which may be made of plywood, pressed Wood, plastic or sheet metal.

The cover is of a size to permit the side boards and end board to fit over the hive [8 to prevent air or the elements from entering between the top edges of the hive and the cover.

The side boards H and I2 have secured thereto, at their ends, opposite to their ends connected to the end board [3, a cross bar l9, which is of less width than the end board I3, providing a space 2-0 extending transversely of the cover to permit ventilation of the hive, and the board engages the side of the hive opposite to the side engaged by the end board to prevent horizon tal movement of the cover on the hive.

Secured to this bar [9, on the lower surface 2| may enter to close the space 25 commensurate with the space 20 for the ventilation of the hive.

Pivotally secured to the side boards H and I2, forwardly of the cross bar [9, is a louver board 26 which, when in vertical position, as shown in Figure 1, only permits ventilation through the space 25 which is regulated by the baffles 22 and 23. This type of ventilation is used for winter time. When the board 26 is in horizontal position, as shown in Figure 4, direct communication between the space 2|] and the atmosphere is obtained for summer ventilation. The board 2-6 is of a width when in vertical position, to engage the top H) on its upper edge, and the upwardly flared ends 2! of the baffies, so air will not enter the hive except through space 25. In summer, the board 26 closes space 25, but permits space 20 to have free access to the atmosphere. as previously stated.

The cover is supported on the hive l8 by cleats or strips 28 and 29 respectively, which are secured to the top II] in longitudinal engagement with the side boards II and I2 by fasteners 36, and if it is desired to cut off all top ventilation to the hive, then strips are removed and the top is placed flush with the upper edges of the hive, as shown in Figure 3.

With the board 26 in the position shown in Figure 1, air may enter the hive without permitting rain or snow to enter the hive and damage the bees, and the less ventilation desired, the

and end smaller the space provided at 25 by adjustment of the bafiles 22 and 23.

The covers are made to fit hives of standard size, but any size covers can be made, as desired.

There has thus been provided a cover which, it is believed will accomplish the objects of the invention, and it is believed that from the foregoing description, the operation and construction of the cover. willube-apparentito those skilled in the art.

It is also to be understood that changes in the minor details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts may be resorted to, provided they fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. 7

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed as new and desired to be secured'bysIset ters Patent is: v

1. A cover for a bee hive, comprising a top hav= ing secured thereto, Sideboards and an end board that-are adapted to encompass the hive on three sides. thereof; a" cross bar secured to-the side'- boards' in opposed relation to the end board to.

engagetheremainingside"oi th'e'hive, the u'pper longitudinal edge'o'f said'crosslbar being spaced 1,435,118

from said top to permit ventilation of said hive, cleats secured to said top in longitudinal relation with said side boards to support said top on said hive, bafiles adjustably secured to the lower longitudinal edge of said cross bar to control the ventilation of said hive, and a louver board pivotally mounted intermediate of said side boards forwardly of and parallel to said cross bar that is adapted :tobe: moved intoshorizontal vertical or inclined relation with respect to saidbafiles, to provide ventilation for said hive in addition to the ventilation controlled by said bafiles.

, 2. The invention as in claim 1, wherein a weather'impervious covering is secured to said top andthe-uppen edges of said side boards.

GEORGE F. WATKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS N a'me Date Snider -s. Dec. 12, 1876 Heim Nov. 7, 1922 Number 

